By Elissa, Delray Beach, FL United StatesI was pregnant for the first time and my husband and I were thrilled. We found out that we were having a little girl. We had done it all, registered, got a crib and changing table, and even got a few little outfits.
PROM at 19 weeksDelivery at 19 weeks + 1 days.
Story added: 2011-05-05
All my appointments showed a normal pregnancy. It was a Friday and all day at work I felt what I thought was cramping in my lower abs. I didn't think anything of it because I had just read the night before it was normal to have some cramping since the uterus was growing. I was at home and felt the same cramping. I was in the middle of cramping when I felt a pop. I got up and fluid started rushing down my legs. I immediately called my doctor and the answering service was going to page her. I knew I couldn't wait for her to call back. Thank goodness my neighbor was at my house at the time. I threw him my keys and he drove me to the hospital.
As soon as I got to the hospital my doctor called me back and fortunately she was already at the hospital for another patient. In the meantime my husband arrived. When I got into a room my doctor and another doctor from the practice examined me. They both said that the outcome was probably grim, but they wanted to wait at least 24 hours before making any other decisions. An ultrasound was done and at that point the baby still had a heartbeat.
I stayed in the hospital overnight and was told I had to lay flat. I could not get up for any reason. I spent the next day on my back trying to keep optimistic. The perinatologist who I had been going to also examined me ( I was only going to the perinatologist for genetic testing to see if the baby had a genetic disorder. This was done by choice, not because I had to).He also said chances of survival were grim. Later in the day I had another ultrasound and the baby had no heartbeat. I had to give birth.
A new doctor from the practice was now on call. He came in and was wonderful. He sat with my husband and I for an hour talking about what we had to do. I was induced and labor began quickly. I had an epidural. Because I had the epidural, the nurse put a catheter in my to help remove waste. My mom and husband were with me when I felt something come out. I thought the catheter came out. My mom looked under the sheets and ran out. The nurse came back in with the doctor and he told me the baby had come out. The placenta soon followed.
I didn't want to hold the baby, but I did look at her. Her coloring was purplish. The doctor told me this was normal because she did not have any fluid for a while. She looked perfect.
I was discharged from the hospital the next day. I took two weeks off of work for emotional healing. I am a third grade teacher. I wasn't ready to face my students. They were all excited that I has having a baby. It was also the week of FCAT, the high stakes test in Florida. I didn't want my kids to see me as an emotional wreck while they were taking such an important test. Also in the course of the week, my cousin had her baby. This was just all too much for me. Before I went back to work my principal and guidance counselor spoke with my class and sent letters home to their parents. I felt they needed to know why I was out and that I would be in such a fragile state. Since returning to work both the students, parents, and my coworkers have been amazing.
I have been going to a psychologist to help me emotionally. Being back at work has also been good.
My husband and I are going to try again next month. I am eager and excited to be pregnant again. I am scared though. I obviously don't want this to happen again. We have an appointment with the perinatologist in a few weeks to discuss our plan of action for my next pregnancy. I am nervous about the work aspect. I am an elementary school teacher. It is very difficult to stay mellow and seated for most of the day. We will see what happens.